Palmer Lake staff expect to present wildlife-attractant rules Oct. 22
Proposals include collection-day trash hours and storage rules for food and other attractants; trustees have not adopted an ordinance.
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Palmer Lake staff expect to present draft rules Oct. 22 that would limit when trash and other wildlife attractants can be left outdoors. The proposals emerged from an Oct. 12 workshop and have not been adopted.
At the joint Board of Trustees and Planning Commission workshop, participants discussed allowing trash outside from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on collection day and requiring receptacles to stay on the property at other times. They also discussed storing attractants in a garage or other hard-sided structure, or using a bear-resistant container. Officials did not settle which structures would qualify or whether bear-resistant containers could remain outdoors outside the proposed hours.
Town Administrator Patrick Davidson described possible rules for garbage, human and pet food, bird seed and cooking grease. His proposed drafting approach would include time and placement rules for bird feeders and pet food, but not grills, smokers, birdbaths, water features or water for pets. Those are drafting proposals, not final requirements.
Participants also discussed applying the rules to residential properties and short-term rentals, and referred to both property owners and tenants. The ordinance would determine which properties and people are covered.
Enforcement ideas emphasized education and voluntary compliance, with warnings in many cases and citations for violations. Police Chief Glen Smith and a Colorado Parks and Wildlife representative also supported giving officers discretion to cite serious or intentional conduct without first issuing a warning.
The town calendar lists a Board of Trustees meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 22. Staff said they expected to bring draft language for review at the meeting.